Ban on Purchasing Certain Equipment with Equitable Sharing Funds

On January 16, 2015, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13688, “Federal Support for
Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition” to identify actions that can improve federal support for
the appropriate use, acquisition, and transfer of equipment by state, local, and tribal law enforcement
agencies. The Executive Order established a Federal Interagency Law Enforcement Equipment Working
Group to develop a list of equipment that agencies may not acquire via transfer from federal agencies or
purchase using federally-provided funds such as equitable sharing. This new policy does not preclude
agencies from using non-federal funds to purchase these items.
Effective immediately, Department of Justice and Department of the Treasury equitable sharing funds
shall not be used to purchase the following equipment:
 Tracked Armored Vehicles: Vehicles that provide ballistic protection to their occupants and utilize a
tracked system instead of wheels for forward motion.
 Weaponized Aircraft, Vessels, and Vehicles of Any Kind: These items will be prohibited from purchase or transfer with weapons installed.
 Firearms of .50-Caliber or Higher
 Ammunition of .50-Caliber or Higher
 Grenade Launchers: Firearm or firearm accessory designed to launch small explosive projectiles.
 Bayonets: Large knives designed to be attached to the muzzle of a rifle/shotgun/long gun for the
purposes of hand-to-hand combat.
 Camouflage Uniforms: Does not include woodland or desert patterns or solid color uniforms.
Please email [email protected] or [email protected] for any questions related to this new policy.